The Houston Rockets kept their postseason alive with a 115-96 win over the Los Angeles Lakers in Game 4 of their Western Conference first-round series. Facing a 3-0 deficit entering the night, Houston delivered its most complete performance of the series to avoid elimination and force a Game 5.
The result comes at a critical point in the series, with no team in NBA history having completed a comeback from a 3-0 deficit. While the Rockets remain in a difficult position, the Game 4 victory has shifted momentum and doubled their odds of advancing, keeping a historic possibility in play.
Can they become the first team in NBA history to come back from 3–0? 👀
Houston’s response was led by a balanced scoring effort and improved execution on both ends of the floor. Amen Thompson scored 23 points, while Tari Eason added 20. Alperen Sengun contributed 19 points, with Reed Sheppard and Jabari Smith Jr. each adding at least 16 as all five starters reached double figures.
Houston Rockets Dominate Los Angeles Lakers Behind Balanced Scoring In Game 4
GettyHouston Rockets guard Amen Thompson
The Rockets took control early and maintained it throughout. They built a nine-point halftime lead and opened the third quarter with a 12-4 run to extend the margin to 68-51.
Houston continued to push the pace, finishing the third quarter on a 9-3 run to take a 90-65 lead into the final period. The advantage grew to as many as 23 points in the fourth quarter as the Lakers struggled to respond.
The Rockets’ performance came despite the absence of Kevin Durant, who missed his third straight game with a sprained left ankle and bone bruise. Even without him, Houston executed efficiently, with strong ball movement and consistent scoring across the lineup.
The Lakers, by contrast, struggled offensively. LeBron James finished with 10 points on 2-of-9 shooting, along with nine assists and eight turnovers. The team shot just 5-of-20 from three-point range, marking its lowest total of made three-pointers in a game this season.
Deandre Ayton led Los Angeles with 19 points and 10 rebounds, but was ejected in the third quarter after a flagrant 2 foul on Sengun. Officials ruled the contact “unnecessary and excessive,” removing one of the Lakers’ most effective players from the game.
Houston Rockets Keep 3-0 Comeback Hope Alive
GettyAmen Thompson #1 of the Houston Rockets reacts during the third quarter of a game against the Los Angeles Lakers.
The Game 4 victory ensures the Rockets avoid a sweep and extend the series to a fifth game in Los Angeles. While teams trailing 3-0 have never come back to win a series, Houston has taken the first step by securing a win and regaining some momentum.
The Rockets had lost the first three games, including a 112-108 overtime defeat in Game 3 where they surrendered a late lead. In Game 4, they avoided similar issues by maintaining control and closing the game decisively.
Houston’s ability to produce across the lineup was key. Amen Thompson’s efficient scoring, combined with contributions from Eason, Sengun, and others, allowed the team to compensate for Durant’s absence.
For the Lakers, injuries continue to impact rotations. Luka Doncic remains sidelined with a hamstring injury, and Austin Reaves has yet to play in the series due to an oblique strain. Those absences have placed additional pressure on the available roster.
Despite the loss, Los Angeles still holds a 3-1 series lead and will have another opportunity to close out the series in Game 5. The Rockets, however, have extended their season and created a new layer of intrigue heading into the next matchup.
The broader challenge remains significant. No team has ever completed a comeback from a 3-0 deficit in NBA playoff history. Houston will need to win three consecutive games to achieve that outcome.
For now, the Rockets have kept that possibility alive. Their Game 4 performance demonstrated their ability to compete under pressure, setting up a pivotal Game 5 as the series continues.
Rockets Keep Historic Dream Alive as Series Odds Double After Game 4 Win Over Lakers